Chasing the Cup (East)

 How cute are the elevators at the United Center?

I wish there was volume on this picture...LOUD!

Aren't these buildings just gorgeous? This may be one of my favorite corners in Chicago!

Ummm, is it just me or is a letter missing? "Take a picture of me in front of the Trump building" seemed like a pretty simple request...Nice camera work, right? 😌

Do you remember the Elephant Parade last summer in Dana Point? Well, these painted horses are similar except they are to commemorate fallen Police officers.  😔👮🏻



Yeah? Not soon enough for me! Come RIGHT NOW!

This is an exciting post for me! I did something way way WAY outside of my comfort zone! My husband B and I headed to Chicago (his home town) for a quick little 24 hour trip! Why, you may be quite understandably asking yourself? To see game 4 of the Stanley Cup finals and the Chicago Blackhawks of course !!  B grew up playing hockey and still plays in a men's league a few times a week and the Blackhawks are one of his obsessions (his other obsessions being the Chicago Cubs and the Chicago Bears. Wait, and the Chicago Bulls. Anyone sense a pattern here?)  So we decided to act like we are spontaneous and carefree (he is, I am for sure NOT- I plan the beJesus out of every day!) and we flew into the City with enough time Wednesday to throw our things in a hotel room, grab a cab, and head to the United Center.   I am a sports loving girl and have been to Stanley cup finals games in the past for the Kings and the Ducks but I have never experienced anything like these fans- it is BANANAS!! Everyone is dressed in Blackhawks colors, everyone is on their feet cheering and screaming and high fiving for the WHOLE game!  And it is loud. LOUD. Louder than you would believe. Thank goodness the Blackhawks won...as I was sitting there in our massively overpriced seats (and the game was tied)...I began to worry about the plane ride home if they didn't!

After the game, we walked around the city. All of the buildings were lit up with red lights, and there were Blackhawks banners everywhere! There is something about a city at night that changes everything about it.  The lights and the cars all become softer somehow. Chicago may be known as the Windy City but it should also be known as the late night city. We had dinner at midnight and it felt like it was 9 PM- the restaurants were crowded and the streets were full!  This was an even bigger treat for me because my parents were watching my daughter back in CA and I. Was. Free.  :)

The next morning, we got up early and were out on the street to grab a coffee and just soak it up.  These beautiful streets are enchanting-- Michigan Avenue and Whacker---filled with people on their way to work. Everyone is dressed beautifully and there's so much architecture in and around the buildings for your eyes to take in (by the way, if you have the opportunity to take the architectural boat tour- -do it. I've done it at least 4 times and would do it again in a heartbeat).  We walked all along Michigan Avenue, and then went down to the lower level by the Riverwalk.  It was a beautiful morning and we were able to take some photographs by the river and then across the Michigan Avenue bridge (I have a thing for bridges) and then over by the beautiful Wrigley building.  Oh, this city.  I am a girl that would live in the city if I could. I always say that I must have been a city dweller in another life because I love them.  I feel alive in them.  The noise, the crowds, the hustle-and-bustle.  And there's so much history in Chicago (on that topic-- read The Devil in the White City if you can.  Great great read about Chicago) I am wearing a little Zara sheath that zips up the back. It's adorable and comfy and was easy to pack.  I brought a little fur vest because the weather gets weird here- it changes fast.   And that, my loves, was that!  We already have 2 more trips planned here this summer and I cant wait to get back here and explore! Happy Saturday and thanks so much for taking the time to stop by! Xo Michelle

Celebration + Big Canyon Country Club















On Saturday night, my firm celebrated its annual Anniversary dinner at Big Canyon Country Club  in Newport Beach. It was a beautiful night to gather together in a stunning location, with these wonderful people I work with--smart, impassioned, ethical, and loyal.   It's also an opportunity to catch up with everyone's significant others, which I love to do.  My firm is not like most law firms--I genuinely like everyone I work with and we all enjoy doing things together.  I sort of think that whatever you do for a living-- the place you do it matters. The work is the work--it will be the same wherever you go. To me, it's the people you surround yourself with that make all the difference.

 I wore this Equipment shirt (old, but the short sleeve version is HERE) with a tiered skirt I got at the beginning of the year from Ann Taylor and Stuart Weitzman heels.  How was your Saturday night? Hope it was just lovely! Enjoy today, dear reader! Xo Michelle

Beauty and Brains {Book}

So, if you know me, you know I am a reader. I love to read. Its like my favorite thing to do to relax. Take a bath, get in the jammies and read.  I usually have 3 or 4 books going at once, too.  I also buy kind of a lot of beauty items- I am constantly acquiring new nail polish, lip gloss, eye cream, etc.  I was thinking that when I write to you all about my most recent product purchase, every once in a while, I will throw something in here for our brains. Maybe a book review, maybe a good website for current events. We are tip-toeing into 2016 and that's an election year. We need to do our best to weed through the mountains of stuff and learn about the real issues (I do anyway).  I am both disgusted with and fascinated by politics. Plus, I am always looking for that one good place to get a quick dose of current events (because none of us has the time to leisurely flip through  a few newspapers while sipping our lattes from a china cup and saucer- yeah right!) Maybe we will figure it out together.   So here goes!

BEAUTY {Lush Cosmetics}

Beauty: Lush Cosmetic's Vanilla Dee-Lite Lotion and Vanilla Puff Powder. I had never used this before but a store opened in the mall close by me and I was drawn to it. The ingredients are all natural, handmade, not tested on animals (that is really important to me) and there are about fifty different scents!  Plus, they have these bath ball things and you throw them into your bath and they fizz and turn colors and scent the water- soo fun! Its a great store to browse through. So far, the lotion smells great and isn't too heavy and the powder has a little subtle sheen! Go check them out at www.lush.com or at Fashion Island or the Shops at Mission Viejo! Brains:   The Nightingale by  Kristine Hannah.   I just finished reading it and I loved it. I am sort of a World War buff and this story is set in France during the Nazi occupation and it tells the story of two sisters and what they went through during those terrible times. I've read a lot about the various battles in World War II and the atrocities that occurred but not too much about what happened to the citizens of occupied countries. It was brutal for them, because the people who were left behind were typically vulnerable and somewhat helpless--older people, women and children-- with the men being away, fighting.  They were deprived of everything we take for granted-- food, water, blankets and their dignity.   As terrible as the backdrop is, this story is about courage and compassion and selflessness and the lengths people will go to for those that that they love.   It is about love in all different forms and with all different complexities, from that shared by the sisters, to that shared by best friends, by the love of a mother for her child and for the love of one's country.  It was great.  These kind of books stay with you long after you turn the last page and I love that.  If you try it, let me know what you think. Or if you have a favorite book. Or, if you are thinking of buying a book and aren't sure- I've probably read it! :)  Happy day, loves. Michelle

Hardhome Recap- Game of Thrones Episode 8

I know I am a tad behind here on the re-cap (Sorry. I've said it before... jobs really do ruin everything) but last night's episode?  What in all that is holy are those White Walkers?  I was perched on the couch, with a stack of work related documents on my lap to review, figuring (because this season has been sort of uneventful) that I could multi-task a bit and work while watching GOT. No. No, no no no.  I was on the edge of my seat, holding onto a dog with either arm, just stressed out and anxious beyond belief. Lets talk:

• Cersei?   Hilarious spoon raps to the head. And the water slurping from the concrete floor.  Nun Confession Requester does not seem swayed by Cersei's plotting of her demise. I predict a few more hard spoon whacks in Cersei's future (good!)
• I love Tyrion and Dany together-- oh, the banter!  So witty! So loaded with innuendo. I am glad that Tyrion is advising her and I like seeing him on top of his game (rather than chained up or throwing up)-- I predict good things to come from these two together;
• Ok, that little servant Crow- Ollie? He is creepy and I think he is going to attack or otherwise try to kill Jon Crow.  His ears really perked up when Sam said that a man sometimes has to make hard choices  that others do not understand for the greater good. You can tell that he is really, really REALLY not happy with this "Lets be friends with the Wildlings" campaign.   His whole family was slaughtered in cold blood by the Wildlings (I thought it was the Thenns, who are in a creepy league of their own) but still. Jon Crow is one of my favorite characters and I get really stressed thinking about someone killing him (its GOT. The good guys all die. I mean, I know all men must die but the good ones seem to do it earlier that necessary in this show);
• That scene at the Wildling town of Hardhome though....I am a reader of the books. I've read them all. Some twice. I am currently re-reading Book 5...this hasn't happened!  And for some reason, it was the spookiest scene to me- when the dogs started barking and the mountain looked all misty. What can kill these guys? They just seem unstoppable. But when the creepy White Walker king walked to the edge of the dock and was just staring at Jon Crow. My gosh. Spookiest thing ever. I watched out of half-open eyes.  I had no idea what he was going to do with those raised arms-- dredge up  something from the water? Levitate the boat?  Turns out, he was just saying " Check it.  Check this. " And it was the silence as they stared at each other. I sort of wanted Jon to scream some bravado at him, but there was more power in the silence.  Oye. Dragons? What is going to stop them.? We will find out!  What did you all think?  Let me know! Michelle